I'm coming round to Cumming

The agility and explosiveness is a big tick

Still reckon the kicking is dodgy though

Sam Cumming. What I like is his composure and sure handling. Looks for options and executes with the footy. Footskills are good without being a standout. He has that ability roll forward and kick goals which is handy for a mid. I see him like Cam Rayner as he has good pace on the burst and power through his legs. He would be a handy addition if available.

HOMETOWN EX-AFL DUO BEHIND DEMONS’ TARGET’S TOP-10 RISE

Potential top-10 pick Sam Cumming has played footy for teams in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Hailing from the NSW border town of Wentworth, Cumming has boarded at Prince Alfred College in Adelaide for the past three years and represented Bendigo Pioneers at the V-Line Cup before the move.

It has made choosing his state allegiance difficult — especially after South Australia’s national championships win this year.

“After the champs, it’s definitely questioned that a bit, but I think at this point it’s just whoever’s asking,” Cumming said with a smile.

Cumming’s footy has flourished over in Adelaide, earning All-Australian status at their successful carnival, dominating the SANFL U18s with North Adelaide, and impressing at league level with the Roosters.

In just his second SANFL game, the quick and tough midfielder-forward turned heads with three goals and 21 disposals against South Adelaide.

Such performances are why clubs with picks inside the top 10 at this year’s draft — including Melbourne — are being heavily linked to Cumming as the draft approaches.

Back in his hometown, with a population of around 1500, two ex-AFL players laid the foundation for his barnstorming season.

Former Hawthorn and Sydney forward Ben McGlynn and ex-Western Bulldogs and Essendon wingman Mark Alvey have served as important mentors along with his father, Glen, a club great at Wentworth.

“Dad’s been a big one, growing up in a country town. He’s always showed me around and showed me the ways of what to do with footy and life as well,” Cumming said.

“And then the likes of Ben McGlynn and Mark Alvey have also been really helpful throughout that journey as well.

“They both played AFL footy, so having them as well, have been pretty lucky.”

McGlynn has been back at Wentworth since he departed as St Kilda assistant coach at the end of 2022, but he worked closely with Cumming even during his time at the Saints.

Cumming debuted at senior level in the Sunraysia league when he was just 14, named in the best in eight of his 15 games in 2022.

“Pretty sure he was still at St Kilda that year. but he was coming backwards and forwards a fair bit, so over that summer, worked with him with a bit of craft and stuff in the gym,” Cumming said.

“Did a fair bit of work with him when I’d go back home.

“ (Alvey) did a lot of my rep footy in that regional work. But he’s also played a lot of footy with dad at Wentworth Roos. So when he come back, he was a player, and he coached a fair bit as well.”

Cumming was eager to board away from home from a young age and after considering schools in Victoria, he chose the closer option in Adelaide, where his sister lives.

“I’ve always wanted to board when I was, 12-13, wanted to go away to boarding school,” Cumming said.

“And there was a few boys older than me that went away and did pretty well – not only at their footy, but just enjoyed it as well.

The boarding experience has him well prepared for playing footy anywhere in any state across Australia.

“I have already sort of moved out of home and had those hard couple of weeks, (feeling) a bit homesick,” Cumming said.

“So wherever I go, I should be fine, and hopefully adjust to a new environment pretty quickly.

At the start of the year, he wrote some “ambitious” goals on the pinboard in his room: playing well for the AFL Academy, making All-Australian with South Australia and winning the championships, and playing SANFL league with North Adelaide.

He passed them all with flying colours.

“It’s been pretty crazy, it’s all gone very quick. I thought they were maybe a tad ambitious, but reflecting back on it now, it’s been pretty lucky to tick most of them off,” Cumming said.

On 30/10/2025 at 07:23, dazzledavey36 said:

I have watched a few videos of Cumming and and I'm yet to see any special traits that commands being taken as a top 10 pick.

He just reminds me too much of Tom Sparrow and hes a plodder at AFL level.

Out of interest, who do you like the look of at the moment, Daz? Actual question, not being smart.

Edited Friday at 11:414 days by 2021

It’s a no from me.

No reason to punt on an interstater in this drafting.

What ever wish is on your list can be found close to home.

Edited Friday at 13:344 days by bluey
Edit

7 hours ago, bluey said:

It’s a no from me.

No reason to punt on an interstater in this drafting.

What ever wish is on your list can be found close to home.

He’s from Wentworth

If he was from Mildura would you say the same?

Pretty much the same place

@adonski I think he’s definitely on JTs short list. Has all the attributes to be a very good AFL player

3 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

@adonski I think he’s definitely on JTs short list. Has all the attributes to be a very good AFL player

Doesn’t get me excited at all tbh. Got some toe and… 🤷

a zippier Kolt? Sparrow 2.0?

No from me.

Jeez there are some hard taskmasters here.. These aren't the finished products yet..

14 hours ago, rpfc said:

He’s from Wentworth

If he was from Mildura would you say the same?

Pretty much the same place

Borders are borders, can’t suit yourself to back up a poor statement.

43 minutes ago, bluey said:

Borders are borders, can’t suit yourself to back up a poor statement.

Sorry for the vomit emoji - the sympathetic vomiting again.

…

Also, your grammar…

Not sure I see the appeal with him - reminds me a lot of James Jordan who we didn't think was best 22

Not quick, not an elite kick, not aerially special

Probably a great teammate and might play 100 games but hardly someone I'd invest pick 7 or 8 in - but just my humble opinion

@Sydee Sam Cumming. He’s much more attacking than Jordan ever is/was. Cumming plays like Cam Rayner. Loves a goal. Loves the contact. Good short burst. Sub 3secs in the 20m sprint at the draft combine

Cumming had 4 SANFL league games. Vs Sth Adelaide, he had 21 possessions, 3 goals, 5 tackles, 5 clearances as an 18yo.

He’s definitely a top 10 rated player in this draft. Hope he slides to our pick but the latest news is that the Bombers might get him.

5 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

@Sydee Sam Cumming. He’s much more attacking than Jordan ever is/was. Cumming plays like Cam Rayner. Loves a goal. Loves the contact. Good short burst. Sub 3secs in the 20m sprint at the draft combine

Cumming had 4 SANFL league games. Vs Sth Adelaide, he had 21 possessions, 3 goals, 5 tackles, 5 clearances as an 18yo.

He’s definitely a top 10 rated player in this draft. Hope he slides to our pick but the latest news is that the Bombers might get him.

Fair enough - I just don't see it

12 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Fair enough - I just don't see it

Same..

If he is touted as a top 10 pick then it sums up this years draft talent wise.

27 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Cumming plays like Cam Rayner.

He really doesn't 'Norm', he is not ballistic like Cam.

Looks a very handy player non the less, just not sure what his ceiling is.

29 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

latest news is that the Bombers might get him.

Don't see him as a good fit for them...they have too many similar.

What they do need is a real Cam Rayner type, if Stringer wasn't a problem then they did have him...but he was.

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Same..

If he is touted as a top 10 pick then it sums up this years draft talent wise.

I agree in a way. Last year we had a gun group in the top 10 and then even Murphy Reid at 17. It was an excellent group. Not this year. There is a spread of players across picks say 5 to 30 that could go anywhere!!! Hibbins -Hargreaves for example. Could go pick 11-12 or pick 27-28 !! Onley ? could go pick late teens or could drift well into the mid 30s

1 hour ago, Sydee said:

Fair enough - I just don't see it

Agree it’s an opinion. Thats what this forum is about 👍🏻

15 hours ago, bluey said:

Borders are borders, can’t suit yourself to back up a poor statement.

The distance from Wentworth to Adelaide by car is 410km, a driving time of 4 hours 9 minutes.

The distance from Wentworth to Melbourne by car is 572km, a driving time of 6 hours 6 minutes.

Wentworth is in NSW so, one way or another, he is going to have to cross a border to get to a Melbourne club or an Adelaide club.

On the other hand, he would have to travel about 1,052km to Sydney if he wanted to play for an AFL club without crossing a border.

Hardly flight risk territory compared with the Jackson/McVee situations.

2 hours ago, rjay said:

He really doesn't 'Norm', he is not ballistic like Cam.

Looks a very handy player non the less, just not sure what his ceiling is.

He has burst, that’s evident in his sprint time, jumping measurements and he takes good overhead marks for his size.

And he has forward and mid ability.

But he’s both shorter and less bursty than Rayner. Or Heeney. Or any of the 6’2+ really explosive big mids.

I’m trying to think of a mid/forward of a similar size around 6’ and good but not great burst traits. Toby Greene would be similar, but Toby is one of one as a player. Elijah Hewett might be similar, he’s slightly taller but has the same midfielder who can go forward balance and has some decent burst without being a top liner.

12 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

He has burst, that’s evident in his sprint time, jumping measurements and he takes good overhead marks for his size.

And he has forward and mid ability.

But he’s both shorter and less bursty than Rayner. Or Heeney. Or any of the 6’2+ really explosive big mids.

I’m trying to think of a mid/forward of a similar size around 6’ and good but not great burst traits. Toby Greene would be similar, but Toby is one of one as a player. Elijah Hewett might be similar, he’s slightly taller but has the same midfielder who can go forward balance and has some decent burst without being a top liner.

I wouldn't be upset with him if JT thinks he's worth the pick...

Another article in the Herald Sun linking us to him

Melbourne and Essendon circling SA draft bolter Sam Cumming with top 10 picks

Melbourne and Essendon are circling a draft bolter who has played footy for teams in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia in a juggling act that has rocketed him into the top 10 mix.

3 minutes ago, adonski said:

Another article in the Herald Sun linking us to him

Melbourne and Essendon circling SA draft bolter Sam Cumming with top 10 picks

Melbourne and Essendon are circling a draft bolter who has played footy for teams in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia in a juggling act that has rocketed him into the top 10 mix.

Starting to look like we’ll be picking him if he’s available at 7

Even if he’s not my first preference he does look like the type of player JT would love - and that’s never a bad thing

1 minute ago, demoncat said:

Starting to look like we’ll be picking him if he’s available at 7

Even if he’s not my first preference he does look like the type of player JT would love - and that’s never a bad thing

Sounds like he's off to the Dons anyway if the articles correct

best case for us is sharp and cumming off the board at our pick, i dont like them so would prefer we didnt have the option hahaha it does mean grjl must be the slider which im all for and you cant pair grjl with farrow which means NHH or our man the dove as the second pick